Police have arrested a Thai suspect who was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident that killed a Michigan State University student. She will be extradited to the US.
Tubtim: Faces charges in the US
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said yesterday the accident happened in Oakland on Jan 1 when Tubtim "Sue" Howson, 57, hit Ben Kabel, 22, early in the morning after he returned from a New Year's Eve party.
Local police found the car belonged to Ms Tubtim, who holds US citizenship but was born in Thailand. They confiscated the car and issued a warrant for her arrest. On Jan 3, Ms Tubtim flew to Thailand to avoid prosecution. The FBI contacted the Royal Thai Police on Feb 12 to track her down as Thailand and the US have an extradition treaty.
Pol Gen Surachate said a special investigative team arrested Ms Tubtim yesterday in Ratchaburi. He said Ms Tubtim arrived in Thailand on Jan 3 and had been staying with relatives in Chon Buri province. However, news about her case had spread widely online by Feb 10, after which she fled to Suan Phueng district of Ratchaburi province.
Police say Ms Tubtim admitted she was the driver who hit Kabel. She said she initially thought she had hit a deer, before realising it was a young man.
She told the police she had no intention of avoiding prosecution. She said she merely panicked and she wanted to return to Thailand to discuss the matter with her sister first. However, CBS News reported on Feb 9 that a close associate of Ms Tubtim in Michigan had encouraged her to turn herself in. She allegedly told him not to call the police and fled to Thailand two days later.
Pol Gen Surachate said Ms Tubtim felt remorseful and was willing to be extradited to the US to face charges.